Invictus
It remains a challenge to review movies based on real life stories, especially ones based on iconic legends who continue to champion dramatic impact on this planet. So, with that said, it is difficult to determine an accurate review of this film because it is hard to piece away commenting on film vs reality. No matter what, the reality of Nelson Mandela is something that deserves screen time, of which Clint Eastwood does a commending job. Should this film even remotely intrigue the masses to take interest in this figure, the world would likely benefit greatly from it.
Invictus provides viewers a small slice in time, one where Mandela fostered his anti apartheid movement by understanding subtle cultural values of people in his nation. The vision to bring common celebration to a split nation is fueled through investment in sport. Rugby to be specific. At one point Mandella invites the captain, played by Damon, of the team over for tea and raises a few important questions. Questions that we could all benefit from asking ourselves:
“How do we inspire ourselves to greatness when nothing else will do?”
“How do we inspire everyone around us?”
Think about them…
Watch the movie and let it inspire you and on whatever level you allow it to. Morgan Freeman as Mandela is stoic and perfect for the part. It is a movie sprinkled with a few cliche moments, but with an underlying message that is important to hear. Clint Eastwood, though Hollywood in style, presents us an opportunity to remind ourselves that challenges in life can be met and that the underdog can rise up.
It would be a hope that this idea can be recalled to our memories, and that maybe somewhere out there a rekindled support and passion for amateur and professional sport can be found. Here’s to the upcoming Olympians, for the reminder of why sport is important in society, to the vision of a great man, and of course to mad sales of the 2011 New Zealand Rugby World Cup!
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
*Invictus (from Wikipedia)
- Invictus
- by Pamela Hruska
- Published on December 10th, 2009
- Movie:
- Invictus
- Publisher:
- Warner Brothers
- Director:
- Clint Eastwood
- Cast:
- Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon,
- When:
- December 11th, 2009
- Website:
- invictusmovie.com
More from Pamela Hruska:
-
Invictus
No matter what, the reality of Nelson Mandela is something that deserves screen time. Should this film even remotely intrigue the masses to take interest in this figure, the world would likely benefit greatly from it.
-
What the Squash?
After falling head over heels for butternut squash (I think it looks like beaker off the Muppets without facial characteristics), I moved into exploring the rest of the squash bin!
-
Get Smart!
Nik at night used to play hour after hour of Get Smart. Sure the show was cheesy, but I was young, and used to dedicate time to it anyway. The test? Is a resurrection going to be a blaring reminder that I had horrifically bad taste once upon a day? Well, if you never liked …
-
Aqua
I was out for dinner the other day, and believe it or not, the latest up and coming for fine dining will be a water list. That’s right, not the wine list, the water list.
-
Saturday Morning Cartoons
…I cannot seem to reproduce the unbelievably contented feeling of waking up at 7 am on Saturday to watch my favorite cartoons…
-
Reflection
It seems an impossible task to articulate the magnitude of the Indian Ocean Earthquakes, or the devastation that has accompanied it.
Other recent features:
-
Sónar 2010 – Barcelona, Spain
The festival attracts a lot of outsiders, but the Mediterranean, Spanish and more specifically Catalan nature of the people makes the festival what it is. Catalan people are passionate and this passion is infectious. The atmosphere is electric in Barcelona as a city and heightened by music and intoxicants at Sónar.
-
Summer Party Naval Styles at Seven RestoLounge
Oysters, like wine are affected by terroir and these Miyagi’s flavor profiles ranged with one showing a cleaner, almost tropical profile and the other being more salty, marine driven. As I was devouring the seemingly endless plates put in front of us, I sipped on a glass of fine sauvignon blanc.
-
R4NT Radio March 2010
R4NT Radio March 2010 um wow it’s been far too long since the last edition edition, featuring: Hector Hernandez, The Infesticons, Blockhead, Gramatik, Emika, Thunderheist, Parov Stelar, Eddy Meets Yannah, Anti-Pop Consortium, The Slew, Lighterthief, Andreya Triana, Parasyte Woman, Mathon, Venetian Snares, and Funki Porcini.
-
O Restaurant & Lounge revisited
Calgary has a diverse set of urban communities, most of which have the ubiquitous strip mall watering hole. In the South West community of Marda Loop, a reinvention of this paradigm has been established.
-
Predictions 2010.. and beyond!
So 2010 eh? Almost but not quite (no year zero they say) another decade? It seems like just yesterday that the world was waiting for Y2K. R4NT started publishing in March 2001, so we’re not quite 10 years old yet, but in internet years we are already a senior citizen.
-
Invictus
No matter what, the reality of Nelson Mandela is something that deserves screen time. Should this film even remotely intrigue the masses to take interest in this figure, the world would likely benefit greatly from it.